Stakeholders have met with representatives from the NSW Office for Health and Medical Research to discuss the NSW Government’s $15 million injection in spinal cord injury research.
After intense advocacy work by SpinalCure Australia and our supporters, the NSW Government announced the funding for spinal cord injury research in the 2019 Budget.
The funding will help researchers develop new treatment methods for people living with spinal cord injuries.
The NSW Office for Health and Medical Research will be administering the funds.
A collaborative group of stakeholders from a wide range of endeavours — from scientists and clinicians to consumer and care advocates — met with Kerry Chant, Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer at NSW Health, who chaired the Expert Advisory Committee meeting.
A call for applications is expected well before the end of 2019, with winners announced by the end of the financial year.
Applications will be assessed by international and inter-state scientists.
SpinalCure Australia CEO Duncan Wallace says the process will aim to ensure the money is allocated to the most ground-breaking projects.
“To have the NSW State Government take the lead nationally and recognise our mission to cure spinal cord injury is a great boost for people with SCI and their loved ones.
“We are really pleased to see the NSW Office for Health and Medical Research and all members of the expert advisory panel working together to ensure the best use of this funding,” said Wallace.
“We expect to see projects funded that will get us closer to a cure for SCI and hopefully see the first Australian patients recovering significant function”.